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Ray Mickshaw/FOX

Does Ryan Seacrest have it in him to start playing favorites on American Idol?

Sources tell E! News that the idea of Seacrest doubling as host and judge remains in play as producers grapple with the question of how to keep the Fox show afloat once Simon Cowelljumps ship after this season.

"Anything is possible," says an Idol insider. "Stay tuned."

Fox can only hope that the tens of millions of people who've made Idol the No. 1 show on TV for years continue to stay tuned following the departure of Paula Abdul—the No More Miss Nice Judge edition premieres tonight!—and the arrival of Ellen DeGeneres as, um, the Funny Judge?

But while E! Online readers have informed us that they hope Simon's replacement also has a British accent, Cowell himself said today in an interview with frenemy Seacrest that the longtime Idol host would make a good addition to the panel.

"You just literally jump from your stage, onto the judging chair, and that way you get an extra job," Cowell said. "See, I'm thinking of you, even in my darkest moments."

Either way, Cowell added, "Good news for you—when I’m not on the show you'll get to be more involved, Ryan, and I think that’s a positive thing. You’ll definitely get more airtime."

Seacrest hasn't commented further on the possibility, and Fox has also remained mum.

But with Paula already gone, we know that "This is American Idol" takes on new meaning starting tonight.

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